The following plants were used for medicinal purposes by the Gitxsan and Wet'suwet'en peoples:.
Plant common name (Latin name) |
Brief description of use: |
Fireweed (Epilobium angustifolium) | Poultices for rheumatism and sores on the surface of the skin. |
Cow-parsnip (Heracleum lanatum) | Roots made into a poultice for rheumatism. |
Highbush cranberry (Viburnum edule) | Infusions of bark and twigs used for coughing. |
Beaked hazelnut (Corylus cornuta) | Nut's milk was used to cure coughs and colds. |
Stinging nettle (Urtica dioica) | Decoctions of the roots and leaves were used for a variety of illnesses. |
Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) | A decoction made of this plant was gargled. |
Cut-leaf anemone (Anemone multifiola) | Used to kill fleas and lice, and also to treat rheumatism. |
Labrador tea (Ledum groenlandicum) | A tea made of this plant was a strong diuretic. |
Red-osier dogwood (Cornus stolonifera) | A pain killer was made of the inner bark. |
Sitka mountain ash (Sorbus sitchersis) | A preparation from the berries was used to treat coughs, flu and fever. |
Devil's club (Opolopanax horridus) | The Devil's club was considered to be the best cure for a number of illnesses. |
Indian hellebore (Veratrum viride) | The Indian Hellebore was used for a numerous spiritual and medicinal uses. |
Common juniper (Juniperus communis) | The Common Juniper was used as a fumigant, deodorizer, and cleaner. |
Red paintbrush (Castilleja miniata) | A decoction of the entire plant was used as a treatment for bleeding cuts and some other medical problems. |
Subalpine fir (Abies lasiocarpa) | Preparations of the pitch and bark were used to treat eye infections and ailments. |
Black twinberry (Lonicera involucrata) | Juice from the berries or decoctions of the inner bark were used to treat sore eyes. |
Red elderberry (Sambucus racemosa) | Infusions from the bark were drank as an emetic or purgative. |